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Virgin Galactic

Sunday, 01 April 2007

Before the end of the decade, I'm certain that everybody will know the name Virgin Galactic . They are planning on making space tourism possible for everyone who wants to go, as long as they are physically capable of making the trip to space. Virgin Galactic have been working on making it possible for you to become one of the first private astronauts since 2004. It was then that Richard Branson and Burt Rutan announced that they were going to start on a program for space tourism that allows space tourist flights within the next couple of years.

Burt Rutan , the designer of the Voyager and many other aircraft, and Richard Branson, owner of the Virgin Group , formed The Spaceship Company in mid 2005. The first order came from Virgin Galactic who requested five spaceships and two launch aircraft. Both men were excited to be moving forward on the first passenger-carrying commercial spaceship for space tourism.

The Virgin Group has an extensive list of companies with breakthrough technologies that they have invested in. Virgin has lots of experience with safety and travel issues, making the first space tourism trip even safer by using the technologies from Burt Rutan’s SpaceShipOne, which Virgin now owns exclusive rights to.

Space tourism safety depends on Virgin Galactic’s testing of the space vehicles used to launch you in to space. Clearly Virgin Galactic do not want to rush this testing process, they want to be sure to give you the safest possible spaceship for private space tourism!

The company's focus is on providing you with one of the most incredible experiences in your life, and they want to make sure that you’re up to it. They require three days for your training program, involving stimulation of your senses in preparation for your space tourism travels. Since we are used to the pull of gravity, it is necessary to be taught how to handle yourself in a zero gravity situation. You will get to intimately know the interior of the space vehicle and may have to go through medical evaluations to make sure that you are up to par. Virgin Galactic wants to be sure that you are ready for your trip and that there are no surprises, making your space tourism trip more enjoyable!

The first launches will take place in the Mojave Desert from the Mojave Spaceport, also known as the birthplace of SpaceShipOne. After successfully providing space tourism flights from this location, Virgin Galactic will launch commercial flights into space from Spaceport Sweden in Kiruna, to allow as many people to enjoy space tourism as possible. Customers are already lining up with the excitement of the thought of being an astronaut!

More recently, NASA has entered into an agreement to work on future technologies with Virgin Galactic. NASA has allowed the use of the NASA Ames Research Centre in California. This doesn't imply however that actual NASA astronauts will be included on any flights, they are simply working with Virgin Galactic on furthering technologies for commercial space tourism.

Whatever happens, it is certain that the adventure over the next 5 years won't be dull!

About The Author

Michael Halls-Moore owns BuyMeToTheStars.com, a space tourism news portal. He is also planning on becoming the world's first student space tourist by 2010!

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